kfriend's review against another edition
5.0
What a delicious return to Mounts Bay- where the knives are sharp and the twists and turns sharper. The Ice Queen, Avery Beaumont, is giving us the world through her eyes- and the Floss we know through the eyes of others has much underneath the surface we haven’t even scratched. The players keep changing, but the MB drama and politics are as dangerous and enigmatic as ever- and now Avery has to hold her own. All Hail is a victorious start to Avery’s story- and like any visit to Mounts Bay, this story left me battered and bruised and hungry for more.
Lips and Avery’s journey has been so intertwined, and it is a tall task of taking a character that is secondary to the romance of another and center the narrative on them. Avery has been a queen from the start, but she’s always been part of LIPS’ story- not the center of her own. But J BREE really brilliantly recenters the narrative. Cleverly ensuring that Lips is a crucial part of Avery’s (because these two are the REAL love story) while also pulling Lips and her men far enough away from All Hail to ensure that the story really can be Avery’s- that we can focus solely on her and her narrative and aren’t distracted by the shiny awesomeness of our OG romance. It is really subtle but artfully done- not only because this serves to ensure Avery is the center, but it also serves as a plot catalyst, a way to force her to deal with some other things (and some other people) without the buffer of her chosen family. Because she is isolated- and that forces her to rely on and connect with people she wouldn’t if she was still in the orbit of her Twelve family. Turns out this is crucial, because much of what we see in All Hail wouldn’t be possible if J Bree hadn’t cleared a path for this story- one that is believable and feels good both to Lips’ narrative as well as Avery’s.
The story did start out slowly for me- but, this is a series opener, so we needed some exposition. I wasn’t quite sure where JB was going to take this- there is a lot going on and a lot that Avery has her hands in, and I still have more questions than answers, but that is par for the Mounts Bay course. But, about 40% in, the story really picked up the pace, in part because once we had all the groundwork laid, we really got to focus in on Avery’s relationships with those around her, as well as her trying to work through the emotional aftermath of everything that happened at the hand of the Jackal. Sure, the business with the Twelve is always interesting, but the psychological journey Avery is on is what really makes this story. This is such a strength of J Bree- she balances the edge of your seat action and the unique Mounts Bay politics and intrigue with gritty, intense, and captivating psychological and emotional journeys. Characters working through trauma, pain, past hurt, lies- the action is really just a backdrop for complex character studies, how her characters grow and evolve as the result of the world around them and the people around them. How they shift from surviving to thriving. And, Avery is still surviving. She is a beautiful character to behold- strong, empowered, loyal, altruistic and courageous. The QUEEN. But she’s also innocent, vulnerable, broken, even scared. She’s a lost girl wearing the mantle of a powerful woman. She has SO much love to give, such a big open heart, and she’s been hurt- by those who should have protected her, by those who should love her. Seeing this side of her in this story is so rewarding, and made me fall even more in love with her. I love how JBree is letting her be different. She’s not The Wolf 2.0- her strengths, her needs, her weaknesses are different, and so, thus, is her journey.
The relational chemistry was so nuanced and engaging- Avery and Aodhan, The Crow, even the Butcher. The STAG stole my whole heart- he’s resilient, loving, protective, and so dreamy. He’s the safety Avery needs, and the bond they share is something only the two of them can understand. But there’s still Atticus- his mixed messages, his suspiciousness, but his clear love for Avery. The connections are not only HOT, but incredibly complicated and fraught with conflicting emotions. The longing and tension just oozed off the page. And, I live for the Butcher and Avery in this- ADORABLE.
Of course, we end on a devastating cliff hanger that I can’t even begin to wrap my brain around. I STILL am not quite sure just where this story is going- what red herrings J Bree has dropped are actual clues vs. what are strategic distractions- and that’s why we love her, right? Always keeping us on our toes, always surprising us. I’m here for it- I don’t know where this train is going, but I’m all aboard. And Avery? She’s most certainly my queen.
Lips and Avery’s journey has been so intertwined, and it is a tall task of taking a character that is secondary to the romance of another and center the narrative on them. Avery has been a queen from the start, but she’s always been part of LIPS’ story- not the center of her own. But J BREE really brilliantly recenters the narrative. Cleverly ensuring that Lips is a crucial part of Avery’s (because these two are the REAL love story) while also pulling Lips and her men far enough away from All Hail to ensure that the story really can be Avery’s- that we can focus solely on her and her narrative and aren’t distracted by the shiny awesomeness of our OG romance. It is really subtle but artfully done- not only because this serves to ensure Avery is the center, but it also serves as a plot catalyst, a way to force her to deal with some other things (and some other people) without the buffer of her chosen family. Because she is isolated- and that forces her to rely on and connect with people she wouldn’t if she was still in the orbit of her Twelve family. Turns out this is crucial, because much of what we see in All Hail wouldn’t be possible if J Bree hadn’t cleared a path for this story- one that is believable and feels good both to Lips’ narrative as well as Avery’s.
The story did start out slowly for me- but, this is a series opener, so we needed some exposition. I wasn’t quite sure where JB was going to take this- there is a lot going on and a lot that Avery has her hands in, and I still have more questions than answers, but that is par for the Mounts Bay course. But, about 40% in, the story really picked up the pace, in part because once we had all the groundwork laid, we really got to focus in on Avery’s relationships with those around her, as well as her trying to work through the emotional aftermath of everything that happened at the hand of the Jackal. Sure, the business with the Twelve is always interesting, but the psychological journey Avery is on is what really makes this story. This is such a strength of J Bree- she balances the edge of your seat action and the unique Mounts Bay politics and intrigue with gritty, intense, and captivating psychological and emotional journeys. Characters working through trauma, pain, past hurt, lies- the action is really just a backdrop for complex character studies, how her characters grow and evolve as the result of the world around them and the people around them. How they shift from surviving to thriving. And, Avery is still surviving. She is a beautiful character to behold- strong, empowered, loyal, altruistic and courageous. The QUEEN. But she’s also innocent, vulnerable, broken, even scared. She’s a lost girl wearing the mantle of a powerful woman. She has SO much love to give, such a big open heart, and she’s been hurt- by those who should have protected her, by those who should love her. Seeing this side of her in this story is so rewarding, and made me fall even more in love with her. I love how JBree is letting her be different. She’s not The Wolf 2.0- her strengths, her needs, her weaknesses are different, and so, thus, is her journey.
The relational chemistry was so nuanced and engaging- Avery and Aodhan, The Crow, even the Butcher. The STAG stole my whole heart- he’s resilient, loving, protective, and so dreamy. He’s the safety Avery needs, and the bond they share is something only the two of them can understand. But there’s still Atticus- his mixed messages, his suspiciousness, but his clear love for Avery. The connections are not only HOT, but incredibly complicated and fraught with conflicting emotions. The longing and tension just oozed off the page. And, I live for the Butcher and Avery in this- ADORABLE.
Of course, we end on a devastating cliff hanger that I can’t even begin to wrap my brain around. I STILL am not quite sure just where this story is going- what red herrings J Bree has dropped are actual clues vs. what are strategic distractions- and that’s why we love her, right? Always keeping us on our toes, always surprising us. I’m here for it- I don’t know where this train is going, but I’m all aboard. And Avery? She’s most certainly my queen.
amazingjane's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
thebookishlifeofcms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
carina_cristino's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
rachlizabeth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bevminnick1's review against another edition
5.0
AWESOME 100 star!! But have a question about Avery?
FIRST, JUST WANT TO ASK EVERYONE WHO IS READING THIS- IN YOUR HEAD DOES AVERY REMIND YOU OF ALICE FROM TWILIGHT? I'M SURE THAT IS A NO!! AND I'M A TOTAL FREAK!! MAYBE ITS JUST HER FASHION SENSE I DON'T KNOW BUT IT IS A COMPLIMENT BC I LOVED ALICE, FAVORITE CHARACTER!!
I wasn't sure I wanted to read this after reading the first books about lips, I loved those books and I loved Avery. But still wasn't sure how she would pull it off like the others, OH BUT SHE DID THAT EXACTLY!! The cliffhanger is great- only if you have the other books which I do thank God!! Incredible story and you should really read the first three bc it brings all the characters into it and a couple are pretty pretty important! Don't be as closed minded as I was!! The only reason I decided to try this is when I read the excerpt and it said that the readers would get "in detail" what happened when she was kidnapped by the Jackel" and oh boy, that was definitely something Avery didn't mention on the last book, when telling Lips! So glad I tried it! Now off to my next book part 2!
FIRST, JUST WANT TO ASK EVERYONE WHO IS READING THIS- IN YOUR HEAD DOES AVERY REMIND YOU OF ALICE FROM TWILIGHT? I'M SURE THAT IS A NO!! AND I'M A TOTAL FREAK!! MAYBE ITS JUST HER FASHION SENSE I DON'T KNOW BUT IT IS A COMPLIMENT BC I LOVED ALICE, FAVORITE CHARACTER!!
I wasn't sure I wanted to read this after reading the first books about lips, I loved those books and I loved Avery. But still wasn't sure how she would pull it off like the others, OH BUT SHE DID THAT EXACTLY!! The cliffhanger is great- only if you have the other books which I do thank God!! Incredible story and you should really read the first three bc it brings all the characters into it and a couple are pretty pretty important! Don't be as closed minded as I was!! The only reason I decided to try this is when I read the excerpt and it said that the readers would get "in detail" what happened when she was kidnapped by the Jackel" and oh boy, that was definitely something Avery didn't mention on the last book, when telling Lips! So glad I tried it! Now off to my next book part 2!
thaypaiva's review against another edition
5.0
OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD. I don’t even have words to describe how obsessed I am with this book. Avery Beaumont is everything I wanna be. The ending though??? J Bree, I love you but the next months of extreme anxiety waiting for the next Queen Crow to come out are not putting you in my lost of favorite people at the moment. I know I should’ve waited until the whole series was out but how could I when everything you write is absolute perfection? Most likely gonna go back and reread HP and BOTB because I’m on a J Bree high that I don’t wanna come down from.
guada_reads's review
3.0
Omg I love that Avery gets her own fricking books because she is a mastermind, I knew that the Jackal did things to her, but the decisions she made to stay alive and keep others alive are jarring, but that doesn't let her stop her from finding herself and keep protecting her family.
So far Atticus just keeps being a dick and he still doesn't deserve her.
2
So far Atticus just keeps being a dick and he still doesn't deserve her.
2
danifleurdelune's review against another edition
5.0
All hail the Ice Queen! Although, the nickname Queenie keeps making me think of American Horror Story, I'm still here for it. I re-read the Hannaford Prep series before diving into this and I'm so glad I did. The Queen of Mounts Bay is going to the rule the world and I love getting to see things from her perspective. Diving into the second book now, because that cliffhanger was not to be messed with.